James D. Stinehelfer, Jr.

James D. Stinehelfer, Jr., age 65, of rural Edgerton, Ohio, died at 10:43 P.M. on Monday, February 15, 2010, shortly after admittance to Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers in Bryan, Ohio. Mr. Stinehelfer taught in the Montpelier school system for nineteen years, in the Central Local school system for seven years and Cassopolis Public Schools for one and a half years. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving during the Viet Nam war and was a member of the Farmer American Legion. He was also a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Sherwood, as well as numerous professional and community organizations, and most recently was serving as Executive Director of the Defiance Area Fair Foundation. Jim was known as the voice of countless area events, including college and area high school events, county fairs, churches and banquets, and the voice of the Defiance County Spelling Bee. James D. Stinehelfer, Jr. was born on April 26, 1944, in Lima, Ohio, the son of James D. and Madlynne (Fitzer) Stinhelfer, Sr. He married Debra Kyser on June 24, 1972, and she survives. Also surviving are his children, Jennifer (Korey) Huss, of Decatur, Indiana, and Jessica (Ryan) Aldrich, of New Haven, Indiana, three grandchildren, Hayden and Morgan Huss and Emalyn Aldrich, a sister, Elly (Charles) Doenecke, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and a brother, Jeff (Chris) Stinehelfer, of Olney, Maryland. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation for James D. Stinehelfer, Jr. will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2010, from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan. Services will be held on Monday, February 22, 2010, at 11:00 A.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, Bryan, with Reverend Robert Damschroder officiating. Interment will follow in Farmer Cemetery with grave side military honors conducted by the Farmer American Legion. Memorials in the name of James D. Stinehelfer, Jr. may be given to the American Heart Association or to the Defiance County Fair Foundation.